A Meal with Jesus

On Nov. 9, 1847, Charles Ellet, Jr. of Philadelphia was selected to construct the first bridge over the turbulent Lower Niagara River to connect the U.S. and Canada. It would be built at the narrowest point, where today’s Whirlpool Rapids bridge is located. Ellet would build a suspension bridge, beginning with stretching a line or cable across the water. However, since a boat couldn’t navigate the swift rapids, how would he get the line across? At first, the idea of shooting off fireworks with an attached rope could do the job. But it was decided it wouldn’t work. Then, a local ironworker suggested offering a cash prize to the first boy who could fly his kite over the river to connect the Canadian and U.S. sides. The idea set off a stampede of young men who took up the challenge.

Homan Walsh was born in Ireland and was 8 years old when his family moved to Niagara Falls, NY, in 1840. He was one excited kid when he first heard of the kite flying contest and he began immediately to build himself a six-sided kite he called “Union.” The kite was known as a “barn-door” kite and it was covered in muslin or calico to withstand strong winds and dampness.

In January 1848, the contest began. Carrying his new kite and “balls of twine,” he took a ferry ride from the base of the falls to the Canadian side. (All the kites would be flown from the Canadian side to take advantage of the prevailing winds from the west.) It was in the dead of winter and very cold, but Homan hiked 2 miles along the top of the gorge wall to the site of the planned bridge. Along with other contestants, Homan flew his kite all day and into the night. But the winds died down and the kite plummeted into the rocks and ice below, breaking the string.

He was stranded on the Canadian side for 8 days because a build-up ice prevented the ferry from operating, so he stayed with some friends. Losing valuable time while the other contestants continued to fly their kites, Homan finally made it back to the U.S. to retrieve his kite at the bottom of the American gorge and make repairs. Soon, the “Union” was as good as new and Homan quickly made the trip back to the Canadian side to try again. On January 31, 1848, Homan successfully flew his kite across the 800-foot wide chasm to the American side where it got caught in a tree. He had won the contest!

The day after Homan’s victorious effort, a stronger line was attached to the kite string. Afterwards, a thicker rope was attached and then a metal cable. Homan’s string eventually turned into an entire bridge!

Eventually, there were 15 bridges that spanned the Niagara, six of which are in use today. The thousands of passengers that travel across the multi-lane, high-speed bridges today think nothing of the bridge, some of them so familiar with the path, they barely glance at the scenic view. More than likely, it has never occurred to most of those on the great bridges today that somewhere in the past, just to get this modern-day miracle under way, somebody had to fly a kite.

There are times in which the most impossible of tasks are overcome by the simplest of feats. Undoubtedly, many of us are in very complicated situations. There are obstacles before many that seemingly make the way impassable. Yet, in the midst of these trials, Jesus invites each of us to come to Him. While there may be no quick-fix to the heavy matters we are facing, we can still know the fellowship of Christ today. In fact, this is expressed beautifully when the church gathers for the Lord’s Supper. Note what the Apostle Paul writes about this practice of the church:

“The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread” (1 Corinthians 10:16-17)

The simple act of taking a piece of bread and a cup of juice, through faith in Christ, joined with the local church, offers a unique opportunity to have a meal with Jesus. Obviously, only those who have trusted in Christ can participate in such a feast. Yet, if you have done this, there is nothing but foolish unrepentance that can keep you from having a meal with Jesus.

Regardless of the obstacles in your way, you can know the sweet fellowship of Christ. And God only knows how this simple act can set the course for overwhelming rejoicing both today and in years to come.

Anticipating our meal with Jesus,

Jason